I read Charles King’s letter of Oct. 25 with strong reaction. The sheer weight of the National Debt is more than we can sustainably carry. It presents clear and present danger to our immediate future and our nation’s future.
I have spoken to others who also read Mr. Kings letter, and recognized the truth and warning therein. My conclusion is, how do we as a people and nation survive this death-dealing debt?
In my opinion, there is no American who surpasses voicing the truths regarding the noble experiment of the USA than those put forth by Thomas Jefferson. He states: “We must not let our rulers load us up with perpetual debt.”
“I however, place economy among the first and most important of virtues, and public debt as the greatest of the dangers to be feared.”
“I believe that banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties than standing armies. If the American people ever allow private banks to control the issue of their currency, first by inflation, then by deflation, the banks and corporations that will grow up around the banks will deprive the people of all property until their children wake up homeless on the continent their fathers conquered.”
We also note words of a more recent man of honor, Dwight D. Eisenhower. Former president, general, and Supreme Commander of all Allied Forces in World War II:
“This conjunction of an immense military establishment and a large arms industry is new in the American experience. The total influence — economic, political, even spiritual — is felt in every city, every state house, every office of the federal government. We recognize the imperative need for this development. Yet we must not fail to comprehend its grave implications. Our toil, resources and livelihood are all involved; so is the very structure of our society. In the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military industrial complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist. We must never let the weight of this combination endanger our liberties or democratic processes. We should take nothing for granted. Only an alert and knowledgeable citizenry can compel the proper meshing of the huge industrial and military machinery of defense with our peaceful methods and goals, so that security and liberty may prosper together.”
This election, I joined many in the lack of full trust in either of the two candidates. For that reason, in my opinion only, either will be regarded as one-term president unless they prove otherwise worthy, acting as placeholder for a true and patriotic leader yet to fully emerge. I pray that this person rises to the occasion, as our nation is in great peril at this time.
The solutions will come with pain and difficulty as we identify and nullify the cancers within. Until we realize how dreadfully ill we are, we collectively remain in denial and are subject to the agendas and manipulations by very large entities not easily seen. We cannot embark upon a new course of revival and health unless we decide to.
I do not have the answers, only the deep seated apprehension of how will our nation survive the crossroads and thresholds we now come to. Foremost, the immense national debt. I believe in each and everyone of you, and may each of us work in our own way for the survival and betterment of our nation, for better or worse.
I differ from Mr. Jefferson in that I do not advocate or believe in the violent overthrow of our government.
“Ask not what your country can do for you, but ask what you can do for your country.” — JFK
Jay Failing is a resident of Kailua-Kona